Senior Lifestyles

Tara McGuinness was recently appointed administrator of Pilgrim Haven Retirement Community in Los Altos. She replaces Steve Jacobson, who moved to another position within the corporation.

"This is the finest community home I have ever been associated with because the staff is experienced and provides such loving care," said McGuinness, who began at Pilgrim Haven last April.

McGuinness was formerly administrator of Grand Lake Gardens Retirement Community in Oakland. With an extensive background in the retirement living industry, she has also served as the assistant administrator of Elmwood Guardian and Berkeley Pines skilled nursing facilities in Berkeley, said a spokesman for Pilgrim Haven.

Pilgrim Haven and Grand Lake Gardens both are continuing-care retirement communities owned and operated by American Baptist Homes of the West, a nonprofit, non-sectarian organization with headquarters in Oakland, the spokesman said.

The corporation is one of the country's largest operators of retirement communities and affordable rental housing for seniors, with 20 locations in California, Washington, Arizona and New Mexico, according to Pilgrim Haven literature.

Before her work in Oakland, McGuinness served as director of marketing and admissions at Lytton Gardens Health Center in Palo Alto. She moved to the East Bay and worked under a licensed preceptor to obtain her 1,000-hour commitment to qualify for her nursing home license.

She holds both a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and a master's degree in economics from San Jose State University.

Founded in Los Altos in 1949, Pilgrim Haven was the first retirement residence for American Baptist Homes of the West.

Pilgrim Haven is tucked away behind carefully tended landscaping. Its mission is to help people remain independent and active as they grow older.

The long term care facility offers three levels of care on the campus that includes residential apartment living, assisted living and 24-hour skilled nursing care.

The home care program embraces the Pilgrim Haven wellness philosophy.

Designed to provide respite care, hands-on training and assistance to seniors, the home care program will serve the elderly within a seven-mile radius of Pilgrim Haven, located at 373 Pine Lane in Los Altos.

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